[ODF_Private_Forests] New Board of Forestry Members Confirmed by the Senate

[WEEKS Kevin]

Subject: New Board of Forestry Members Confirmed by the Senate

Good afternoon.

I wanted to provide a brief introduction for you to our three new Board of Forestry members, who were appointed by the Governor, and confirmed this morning by the Oregon Senate.

But first, an appreciation for our three outgoing members, who have provided excellent service to the Board and Department, and to Oregonians and our  forests: Peter Hayes of Portland; Cal Mukumoto of Coos Bay; and Jennifer Phillippi of Cave Junction. We thank them for their contributions of service and leadership and consider them partners in promoting the health and sustainability of Oregon’s forests for the future.

Our three new members are:

Nils Christoffersen, Enterprise
Nils currently serves as Executive Director of the non-profit Wallowa Resources, based in Enterprise. He’s a native of northern Virginia and holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in economics from Williams College in Massachusetts, and a master’s degree in forestry and land use from Oxford University. Nils has been with Wallowa Resources since 1999, and has been executive director since 2007. Before coming to northeast Oregon, Nils worked as Executive Director of Africa Resources Trust USA in Washington DC; as Regional Program Coordinator in Southern Africa for the World Conservation Union; and as International Program Officer for the Agricultural University of Norway. He has served on and chaired the Governor’s Eastside Forest Advisory Panel, the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry, and currently chairs the Enterprise School Board.

Cindy Deacon Williams, Medford
Cindy is a consulting fisheries biologist, with 30 years of service in state and federal government and in the non-profit world. She is a Nevada native and holds a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and a master’s degree from California State University in Sacramento, both in biological sciences. Cindy has worked in the California Legislature as chief of staff to Assemblyman Robert J. Campbell; and for the USDA Forest Service as Assistant Fisheries Program Leader and co-leader of the Interior Columbia Basin EIS Team. She has served as Director of Aquatic Science and Conservation Education Programs for the National Center for Conservation Science and Policy. She currently works in private practice as a natural resources consultant.

Tom Insko, La Grande
Tom is Region Manager for Boise’s Inland region, which includes eight manufacturing facilities and approximately 925 employees. He is a native of eastern Oregon growing up on the family farm 35 miles north of La Grande.  Tom is a graduate of Eastern Oregon University where he received degrees in mathematics and business economics, and he holds a Masters of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He has worked for Boise Cascade for 16 years with the majority of his responsibilities focused on operations management.  He’s worked as analyst; plant superintendent at Boise’s Elgin stud mill; production manager for the overall Elgin Complex; senior financing manager at the corporate offices; and as manager of Boise’s Washington Region.  Tom has served on the Eastern Oregon University Foundation since 2006, and is currently its Vice President.

Our three new members join our four currently serving members: Sybil Ackerman of Portland; John Blackwell, Chair, of Portland; Gary Springer of Corvallis; and Steve Wilson of Portland. The full group of seven will meet together for the first time at the March 7th Board meeting in Salem. I’m working with Chair Blackwell and the Executive Team on orientation materials and experiences to bring our new members up to speed.

As Nils, Cindy and Tom begin their four-year terms, we’re poised to move forward with a strong Board that brings rich diversity—geographically as well as in life experience and perspective. This synergy is important as the Board provides statewide leadership on behalf of sustainable forests and forestry.

In the months ahead I hope you’ll have an opportunity to help us welcome our new Board members as we take our meetings and tours on the road to Newport, Tillamook and John Day.

Thought you’d like to know. Keep up the good work, and stay safe.

-Doug


____________________________________________
Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester

Director, Oregon Department of Forestry
Office: 503-945-7211
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street, Salem OR 97301
http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/

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